Crown Paints masters university project

Crown Paints has received top marks from a West Midlands-based university after transforming their Students’ Union café.

The Pear Tree Café, in the heart of the University of Worcester’s St John’s Campus, has been given a new lease of life with a vibrant new colour palette.

Contrasting greys and a teal colour have been used to refresh the space, which Joe Stock – Capital Projects Procurement Officer at the University of Worcester – says had become tired.

He said: “The old colours were quite dark so we wanted to give it a refresh and encourage more people to use the Students’ Union building during the day.

“Crown Paints Colour Service worked alongside our Students’ Union representatives to choose a new colour scheme and it looks really good.

“We’re glad we’ve used Crown Paints on this project.”

Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Specialist at Crown Paints, said: “The colours were chosen to promote and encourage a social atmosphere.

“The grey used downstairs creates a relaxing environment, in contrast to the energising teal chosen in the bar area upstairs.”

Hankinson Painting Contractors carried out the work, which took three weeks to complete.

Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt has been used on the walls, with a teal colour being applied to the feature wall and a complimentary grey on the others, whilst the metal staircase was decorated with dark grey Crown Trade Fastflow Quick Dry Gloss.

Louise Hinett, Specification Sales Manager at Crown Paints, said: “We used Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt because of the high-level of traffic that comes through the café.

“After cleaning, the walls will return to an ‘as new’ condition, so this will mean that the University of Worcester’s maintenance cycle will be extended.

“The café remained open throughout the redecoration, so Crown Trade Fastflow Quick Dry Gloss seemed like the perfect product for the metal staircase.

“It’s fast drying and has a low odour so it meant that when people came into eat their lunch their comfort was assured.”

The Crown Trade Fastflow Gloss system was launched two years ago and since then it has built up a following in the trade sector as a break-through innovation based on Crown Paints’ 200 years’ experience and heritage.

The system features advanced water-based technology, which means the product feels like a traditional solvent-based gloss, but is quick drying with the benefit of low odour.

It’s also been manufactured in line with Crown’s renowned Breatheasy® formulation, which means it is 99 per cent solvent free.

Sharon Smith, Crown Paints Trade Communications Manager, said: “Due to the fast-drying qualities of Crown Trade Fastflow two coats can be applied in one day, which is a major advantage for customers.

“We’ve also expanded the range this year with the introduction of Crown Trade Fastflow Quick Dry Satin, which again performs as a solvent based product with the benefits of being water-based.”